This poem reminds me of Mt All age school days. I learned that poem in 6th grade and I still remember the words. We used to recite this poem and I can hear the sound of the boys with their resounding voices saying "By God and this big right hand, I will live and die a banana man" I feel so nostalgic listening to this poem. ♥️♥️♥️♥️
I Just got back from Jamaica. My roommate and I had the pleasure of swimming in the cool streams at Reach Falls with the mullet and janga, after being shown around where my roommate grew up. Such a beautiful country, with beautiful people, and some of the best food in the world. This poem always leaves me misty-eyed, and the narration by George Scott is simply amazing.
Ooh my goodness. Since I was 12 years old, I've been reading this poem from the book, The Sun's Eye. I have bought that book about three times since leaving school, because the stories are just wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed that reading. Thanks so very much. My literature teacher was a big burly man with a deep voice, and no matter what we did in class that day, we always ended the class reading Song of the banana man. Needless to say, no one failed his class. Oh memories 😊😊😊❤❤
I love this poem it reminds me that we all have a purpose. The most high made us who we are to be. Whatever we do InThis life, be the best at what you do. We are all unique & special!!!
Overwhelming nostagilc memories of life growing up in Port Antonio. Life as I knew it as expressed through the scenes recorded in this poem and also being acquainted with Evan Jones and his wife. Learnt this poem at Port Antonio Primary and still remember all the words.
My sisters would recite this poem they learned in primary school every single day, just for fun. Going to high school at the time, I thought myself too big to join in with them but I was secretly saying it to myself along with them.😄
An outstanding poem that we learned in the first form at the Dominca Grammar School in 1972. It was part of an anthology of West Indian poetry and short stories. It was a time of great pride in our West Indies cricket team and strong pride in our region. Those strong feelings of one West Indian nation have dissipated over the years. I hope our drive towards unity and a renewed pride in our people, culture, and common future shall rise again. I think the book was "The Sun's Eye."
My Grandmother ran a shop in Bachelors Hall in St.Thomas 2 1/2 Miles East of Bath for many years in the 60s. I use to spend my Summers there with her. We use to drive through Golden Grove on our way to Duckensfield Sugar Estate. I use to go swimming in Th Plantain Garden River, and I went with my friends to their ground to cut banana and sugar cane as well as other ground provision. Sometimes we would go to the river to catch Janga and run a boat. The poem brings back a lot of memories. Thenks M.K.
The beautiful thing about poetry, is that it can be appreciated by anyone from anywhere who has an affinity for it. It can be read in ones own tongue, but given its idiosyncrasies, this one is best read with a Jamaican inflection or mood. Love it!
Perfect cadence here. I’ve heard some upper-class Jamaicans recite this poem and they sounded aweful. They clearly missed the point. I studied this poem in grade school back home in Guyana.
This poem reminds me of Mt All age school days. I learned that poem in 6th grade and I still remember the words. We used to recite this poem and I can hear the sound of the boys with their resounding voices saying "By God and this big right hand, I will live and die a banana man" I feel so nostalgic listening to this poem. ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Those who really listen will get a snippet of the Spirit of the real Jamaican.
Yes indeed! Great response.
Searching for the banana man poem amd come across this man , he made my day had to share it . I'm a lover of poem
I Just got back from Jamaica. My roommate and I had the pleasure of swimming in the cool streams at Reach Falls with the mullet and janga, after being shown around where my roommate grew up. Such a beautiful country, with beautiful people, and some of the best food in the world. This poem always leaves me misty-eyed, and the narration by George Scott is simply amazing.
Thanks Evan Jones. Proud of my heritage. My mother, older sister, brother-in-law (all RIP) would have loved this poem.
Loved it! Thank you Evan Jones .. you read it so well George Scott !
Ooh my goodness. Since I was 12 years old, I've been reading this poem from the book, The Sun's Eye. I have bought that book about three times since leaving school, because the stories are just wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed that reading. Thanks so very much. My literature teacher was a big burly man with a deep voice, and no matter what we did in class that day, we always ended the class reading Song of the banana man. Needless to say, no one failed his class. Oh memories 😊😊😊❤❤
I love this poem. I've learned this poem in the 4th Grade in Jamaica (Windward Road All Age).
I love this poem it reminds me that we all have a purpose. The most high made us who we are to be. Whatever we do InThis life, be the best at what you do. We are all unique & special!!!
Overwhelming nostagilc memories of life growing up in Port Antonio. Life as I knew it as expressed through the scenes recorded in this poem and also being acquainted with Evan Jones and his wife. Learnt this poem at Port Antonio Primary and still remember all the words.
One of my favorite Poems, love it.
My sisters would recite this poem they learned in primary school every single day, just for fun. Going to high school at the time, I thought myself too big to join in with them but I was secretly saying it to myself along with them.😄
I love it make me remember the janga great day god bless Jamaica land I grow
It brings memories I cried. The song of a banana man.
I learned this poem in Grade 4 at Black River Primary School, still love it. Thanks Miss Watson.
An outstanding poem that we learned in the first form at the Dominca Grammar School in 1972. It was part of an anthology of West Indian poetry and short stories. It was a time of great pride in our West Indies cricket team and strong pride in our region. Those strong feelings of one West Indian nation have dissipated over the years. I hope our drive towards unity and a renewed pride in our people, culture, and common future shall rise again. I think the book was "The Sun's Eye."
Don't know who you are, but I also read The Sun's Eye in Wesley High School, in Dominica. Still love this poem. 😊😊😊
Respect to the banana man❤️
Poem starts at 3:31
My Grandmother ran a shop in Bachelors Hall in St.Thomas 2 1/2 Miles East of Bath for many years in the 60s. I use to spend my Summers there with her. We use to drive through Golden Grove on our way to Duckensfield Sugar Estate. I use to go swimming in Th Plantain Garden River, and I went with my friends to their ground to cut banana and sugar cane as well as other ground provision. Sometimes we
would go to the river to catch Janga and run a boat. The poem brings back a lot of memories. Thenks
M.K.
You have captured the life of country living when I was growing up as a child!!
Lots of you that run away listen to how this man reach his prosperity knowing jamaica have Nothing to offer
Lovely lovely poem. Non-Jamaican West Indans can also enjoy it and get from it the same thing.
The beautiful thing about poetry, is that it can be appreciated by anyone from anywhere who has an affinity for it. It can be read in ones own tongue, but given its idiosyncrasies, this one is best read with a Jamaican inflection or mood. Love it!
@@trevorobest6372 I totally agree. George Scott read it beautifully !
Touris, white man, wipin his face,
Met me in Golden Grove market place.
He looked at m'ol' clothes brown wid stain ,
An soaked right through wid de Portlan rain,
He cas his eye, turn up his nose,
He says, 'You're a beggar man, I suppose?'
He says, 'Boy, get some occupation,
Be of some value to your nation.'
I said, 'By God and dis big right han
You mus recognize a banana man.
'Up in de hills, where de streams are cool,
An mullet an janga swim in de pool,
I have ten acres of mountain side,
An a dainty-foot donkey dat I ride,
Four Gros Michel, an four Lacatan,
Some coconut trees, and some hills of yam,
An I pasture on dat very same lan
Five she-goats an a big black ram,
Dat, by God an dis big right han
Is de property of a banana man.
'I leave m'yard early-mornin time
An set m'foot to de mountain climb,
I ben m'back to de hot-sun toil,
An m'cutlass rings on de stony soil,
Ploughin an weedin, diggin an plantin
Till Massa Sun drop back o John Crow mountain,
Den home again in cool evenin time,
Perhaps whistling dis likkle rhyme,
(Sung)Praise God an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.
'Banana day is my special day,
I cut my stems an I'm on m'way,
Load up de donkey, leave de lan
Head down de hill to banana stan,
When de truck comes roun I take a ride
All de way down to de harbour side-
Dat is de night, when you, touris man,
Would change your place wid a banana man.
Yes, by God, an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.
'De bay is calm, an de moon is bright
De hills look black for de sky is light,
Down at de dock is an English ship,
Restin after her ocean trip,
While on de pier is a monstrous hustle,
Tallymen, carriers, all in a bustle,
Wid stems on deir heads in a long black snake
Some singin de sons dat banana men make,
Like, (Sung) Praise God an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.
'Den de payment comes, an we have some fun,
Me, Zekiel, Breda and Duppy Son.
Down at de bar near United Wharf
We knock back a white rum, bus a laugh,
Fill de empty bag for further toil
Wid saltfish, breadfruit, coconut oil.
Den head back home to m'yard to sleep,
A proper sleep dat is long an deep.
Yes, by God, an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.
'So when you see dese ol clothes brown wid stain,
An soaked right through wid de Portlan rain,
Don't cas your eye nor turn your nose,
Don't judge a man by his patchy clothes,
I'm a strong man, a proud man, an I'm free,
Free as dese mountains, free as dis sea,
I know myself, an I know my ways,
An will sing wid pride to de end o my days
(Sung)Praise God an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.'
Evan Jones, "Song of the Banana Man," from The Penguin Book of Carribean Verse in English Copyright © 1986
I wanted to know who make " the song of the banana man " 😊
No no no,you will not die a Banana man, but a Baker man, Hahaha ! Very nice, me like it O !
that is perfect, so lyrical
Yes 👍 love it too 3 Rd St Francis all age-old hope road Kingston
6th grade po. etry ..Evan Jones, Reginald MMurray, Claudd McKay
Big up to de Banana Man!
I’m here for ma literature class
My all time favourite poem
Wawww very beautifull especially when u say my own ppl And must say fluent English Respect to you Sir
Love ur history ♥️
Him sound good
Lovely👏👏👏
Does this book existing. Still banana man
Perfect cadence here. I’ve heard some upper-class Jamaicans recite this poem and they sounded aweful. They clearly missed the point. I studied this poem in grade school back home in Guyana.
3:27
It starts 3:56 thank me later
3:26
.
I have heard better
Mangle plays are you a jamaican
3:26